How a brewery family's home became an Australian football dynasty

History · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In 1872, the McCracken family hosted a meeting in their Ascot Vale home that would change Australian sport forever. From early triumphs in the VFA to the legendary 'Baby Bombers' era, the Essendon Football Club has navigated decades of unprecedented glory and profound scandal.

The club's origins are rooted in the Victorian era, founded by members of the Royal Agricultural Society and the McCracken brewing family. While the club initially played in the Victorian Football Association (VFA), they were instrumental in the 1896 breakaway that formed the Victorian Football League (VFL). This early period was marked by dominance, including a streak of four consecutive VFA premierships between 1891 and 1894.

Essendon's identity has shifted alongside its geography. Originally known as the 'Same Olds,' the club eventually adopted the 'Dons' moniker. The iconic 'Bombers' nickname arrived in 1940, a nod to the club's proximity to the Essendon Aerodrome during World War II. The club's history is punctuated by legendary figures like Dick Reynolds, a three-time Brownlow Medalist, and the prolific John Coleman, who kicked 100 goals in his 1949 debut season.

However, the club's storied past includes significant turbulence. The 2013 anti-doping investigation remains one of the most difficult chapters in Australian sports, resulting in heavy fines, the loss of draft picks, and the suspension of 34 players for the 2016 season. This period of crisis stands in stark contrast to the club's most successful eras, such as the 1940s and 50s, and the dominant 2000 season under coach Kevin Sheedy.

Today, the club continues to compete at the highest level of the AFL, maintaining a legacy of 16 premierships—a figure tied with Carlton and Collingwood for the most in competition history.

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